Cooper Flagg, after signing the letter of intent in November last year, finished as the highest-rated recruit in the 2024 class. And the rank is reflecting. The 17-year-old enrolled for Duke University, signed with the Creative Artists Agency for NIL representation, and sealed a multi-year shoe deal with New Balance, all in six months. Now, 9 days to the latter of the news and the Blue Devil off the court has a signing new and huge.

The Five-Star Plus+ recruit has pretty much wrapped every possible honor in the 2023-2024 season. And to begin the next, his new deal is with New Era. He shared the reel on his Instagram, confirming the same. As per reports, the New Era Cap Co. could be worth close to $4 to $5 billion. An Insider source confirmed to Reuters in September that the company is supposedly launching an IPO.

Though the recent profit-and-loss data is not available, in 2022, they reached about $1 billion in revenue. Bloomberg confirmed that the cap company managed a $3.9 million operating income and $9.7 million net profit. Thus signing Cooper Flagg with his rising stock makes complete sense for the New York-based company.

“Embrace the journey, rise to the moments. A New Era is coming,” Flagg announced. 

It is also the brand for official-licensed partnerships with sports brands like the MLB, NFL, and NBA. Alongside Cooper Flagg, they also have USC Volleyball athlete Ally Batenhorst, QB from Texas Quinn Ewers, and Notre Dame basketball player Hannah Hidalgo.

This will be his second NIL deal for the year after signing the New England company for reasons closer to heart.

Cooper Flagg and special New Balance connection

Before signing the new deal, there was a possibility of Cooper Flagg signing for Nike. Not just Nike, but supposedly the favorite to be a

Jordan Brand athlete. The number 1 NIL college basketball athlete even wore the Jordan footwear during a photoshoot. Then why did he choose New Balance?

“

The connection with New Balance as a family company and a company with Maine roots means a lot to me,” Cooper Flagg told ESPN. The company has its manufacturing facility just 25 miles from his home in Newport, Maine.”That makes this really different and special. My mom used to go to the tent sale for back-to-school shopping there when we were kids. That really aligns the brand with my roots. It’s a perfect fit.“

The Montverde graduate will have plenty more opportunities even before he hits the NBA, but for now, his NIL valuation is estimated at $1.4 million, placing him #7 in the NIL 100. A month to go till he starts the season with the Blue Devils.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”